PiloTREK Radars 25 GHz (K-band) are considered the most progressive non-contact level transmitter (level meter) in the industrial process automation (process control) field. Their sensitivity is excellent, and their short and narrow antennas make their installation simple and cost-effective. NIVELCO’s K-band radar with ± 3 mm (0.12 inch) sensitivity and short dead band stands out with its versatile body concept that lists plastic, aluminum and stainless steel versions. The antenna range includes a stainless steel horn or parabolic planar antenna and an assortment of enclosed plastic tubing. The attached antenna versions can be changed without removing the antenna housing. The native programming of PiloTREK is supported by an add-on display module. If on-site reading is not desired, this module may not be necessary, thus reducing the acquisition cost. PiloTREK’s signal processing algorithm is the perfect choice for simple and demanding applications, based on NIVELCO’s 35 years of experience in non-contact level measurement.
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How to Use a Compact Microwave Level Transmitter?
The operation of the non-contact microwave level transmitter is based on measuring the flight time of the microwave burst. The propagation speed of microwave pulses is practically the same in air, gases and vacuum, regardless of process temperature (process temperature) and pressure, so the measured distance is not affected by the physical parameters of the medium to be measured. The level transmitter excites several nanosecond long microwave pulses within the antenna, and some of the energy of the emitted signals is reflected back from the measuring surface depending on the measured medium. The flight time of the reflected signal is measured and processed by the electronics. It then converts this distance to level or volume proportional data. The measurability of the level of a given medium depends on the signal strength of the reflected microwave pulses. The signal strength of the reflected pulses depends on the distance to be measured, the relative dielectric constant of the measured medium, and the turbulence of the surface. In case of parabolic design the relative dielectric constant (r) of the medium should be more than 1.4 or with horn antenna types it should be more than 1.9.
Level Meter Application Areas and Level Measurement Methods